Keto flu? What?
- John H.
- Nov 14, 2021
- 4 min read
It is one of the most common types of flu symptoms worldwide. When I first experienced "keto flu" in the first days was in the summer of 2015...

Keto flu is an unofficial term for describing how many people feel shortly after starting a ketogenic diet, and it's not exactly fun. It's actually the thing that stops people from even trying keto after, even tho its symptoms can be completely reduced, or you may have none.

Important to say that even tho it's called a flu, it's not a flu. But it's felt by many newcomers in the first few days of the ketogenic diet. If you are thinking about committing to the keto lifestyle or have boarded already on board of keto train, there are a few things you should know & keep in mind about keto flu. Having the keto flu may include symptoms like: nausea, vomiting, dizziness, headache, diarrhea, muscle pain, fatigue, stomach pain, nausea, and vomiting, to name a few.
The name Keto flu is "Keto induction" because these symptoms tend to occur when people start eating.
Keto flu is caused by the body adapting to the new metabolic state of ketosis. Slowly - manipulation of carbohydrates can help you get into ketosis without experiencing any symptoms of keto flu.
If you are just starting your ketogenic journey, we recommend you take a look and `soak up everything I wrote here. I will cover all the important information about this topic.
Researches have discovered that keto flu symptoms are also caused since your body can be missing sodium aka. Salt. Since once you go keto your body flushes out unnecessary water that has been retained in the body (that's why you lose weight fast in the first week of keto), and it takes also sodium. So during ketosis, our sodium intake should be higher than normal. Also, interestingly they have found that taking magnesium once daily can reduce the risk of keto flue to up to 40%!

There is no actual scientific definition of keto flu, but it is very often described as flu-like symptoms that begin after a person has largely removed carbohydrates from their diet. It is also called "keto flu" or, depending on which group you are in, "carbohydrate flu," which describes the fact that people who have started a low-carb diet (paleo, ketogenic diet) often have flu-like symptoms! But in reality all that you are feeling is just an electrolyte imbalance.
So in short a keto flu (or carbohydrate flu) describes a group of people who start a low-carb diet (paleo) or ketogenic diet and often have fluid symptoms.
How long does keto flu last?
How long does Keto flu last, what remedies help you feel better and when do you start ketogenic and flu? Exactly when you feel ketogenic flu varies from person to person, but the most common things to watch for are the first days or weeks as Dr. Berg says.
In short, keto flu is something you will experience on the way to ketosis, but let's do something we call "keto adjustment."
Actually, the symptoms of Keto flu are not even caused by ketosis, ketogenesis, or any flu. But it is one of the most common types of flu symptoms worldwide. When I first experienced "keto flu" was in the first days in the summer of 2015, I was on a ketogenic diet for only a few weeks, not months.

Rather, it is named after the occasionally unpleasant symptoms associated with switching to a keto diet when your body starts using fat instead of carbohydrates as its primary energy source. However, the term is defined as "flu" - an illness with flu-like symptoms such as fever, headache, nausea and vomiting. If you eat a high carbohydrate diet during the ketosis season, there is a good chance that you will develop symptoms of "keto flu" due to sugar withdrawal.
Low-calorie people may lead to 'keto flu' symptoms The intake of healthy fats is crucial, especially in the first few weeks.
In other words, keto flu is not inevitable, but if symptoms persist for more than a few days, then neither is it. Maybe you are at the point where it is best, or maybe you have been on a ketogenic diet for a few weeks or even months. Here are some tips on how to get rid of ketogenic flu. Anyone who has tried a diet can avoid such a thing as transitional symptoms altogether.
Sip on the bone broth. Just have it with your meals, it actually tastes very good. It even helps you to get into ketosis faster because there is a satiating component, you won't feel like you have to eat, your calories are low & you lose weight in the process. Click here if you want to get it already today.
Take enough salt throughout the day. What I do is I take half of the teaspoon and mix it with 1,5 liters of water in a bottle.
You can just sip it through the day, and it will greatly help your body replenish your electrolytes.
I recommend pink Himalayan salt. It's healthier and provides more benefits. Check here.

One of the most important ones is definitely magnesium. It's a mineral that boosts energy & supports your immune system. It is recommended taking 200–400 mg daily if you follow ketogenic lifestlye-diet. You can take it naturally with magnesium-rich foods like: spinach, avocado, swiss chard, mackerel... Or you can take your magnesium in a form of a pill or oral powder. If you are buying magnesium in a form of a pill, make sure it doesn't contain any starch as filler, or it will kick you out of ketosis. You can get it here.
MCT oil also helps, since it boosts your fat intake and keeps you deep in ketosis. You can add it to shakes and smoothies or simply take it by the spoonful for a quick fat boost. Here is the one I use.
Omega-3 Fatty Acids are also very important. EPA and DHA (2 main components of Omega-3 oil) have been found to reduce inflammation, lower heart disease risk, and prevent mental decline. Also keeps you deeper into ketosis. Can be found at Amazon here.
Comments